Category Archives: Chad Smith

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“I just want to teach music to as many kids as I can and supply arts education,” he told Rolling Stone, noting that the funds will be used for a new building that will double the student capacity to well over 1,000. About 200 kids currently attend for free. “Arts are as important as athletics and academics. It’s the three A’s.” Source

News reports are beginning to come in for the fourth annual fundraiser held at Ron Burkle’s home for the Silverlake Conservatory of Music. The event raised a staggering $1.25 million for the Conservatory of Music and included performances by Rufus Wainwright and Bruno Mars. Paintings by artists such as Damian Hirst, Raymond Pettibon & Richard Prince (Flea made the winning bid on one of his pieces) were also sold at the event. All four members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers were present at the event with the evening being co-hosted by Anthony and Flea.

Chad Smith is set to release a new album that sees him collaborating with Jon Batiste and Bill Laswell along with other special guest appearances. The album is called ‘TheProcess’ and is due out on November 4th. The recording came as a result of a series of jamming sessions while Chad lived in New York that have developed into a full album which he describes as “avant-tribal-funk.”

Anthony Kiedis and RHCP arrived in Israel for their concert at Hayarkon Park.

The decision to play Israel by the band sparked a lot of controvery online with even a Palestinian group set up calling for the Chili Peppers to cancel the concert and it seems that the controversy is continuing in a different way as things don’t seem to be getting off to a brilliant start for Anthony Kiedis in the country; a local TV station is running an item on the arrival of the Red Hot Chili Peppers including footage of a brief altercation between Anthony and a camera man working for an Israeli TV station.

The article accompanying the video suggests that the vocalist was nervous but it seems more likely that he was annoyed by the man filming him while trying to enjoy the view from a viewing platform (a woman who was standing close to Anthony also walked off seemingly annoyed so maybe that was a factor too?) as Anthony can be just about heard saying something about a “nice welcome” in a sarcastic tone before going over to the camera man and appearing to punch the camera (from the comments made; the footage at this point is of the floor rather than what is happening) resulting in a brief argument between the two men.

Anthony is persuaded to get into the car by others around him while Dave Mushegain (AK’s close friend and RHCP photographer for the forthcoming fan based book) tells the cameraman repeatedly that he’s “done” filming.

Screencaps:

Many thanks to Shalhevet & Ana for sourcing the links. News report with video link HERE

An interview with Chad Smith for Billboard, that’s just been released, has confirmed that John Frusciante will not be appearing with the other Red Hot Chili Peppers members when RHCP is inducted into the Rock in Rock Hall of Fame; he also confirms that Anthony Kiedis is on the mend and that the band are preparing for the release of another single off I’m With You:

That said, Smith expects the group to be on the road for most of the rest of this year. With Kiedis “on the mend,” the Chili Peppers hit the road again on March 29 in Tampa, Fla., before heading to Europe in June, with some U.S. make-up dates in August and in the fall. So a new album certainly isn’t likely until the end of 2013 at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the Chili Peppers are also prepping for the release of a another single from “I’m With You” (“Brendan’s Death Song”) as well as the group’s April 14 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Smith says the group, which on that night will also include past drummers Jack Irons and Cliff Martinez, will perform at the ceremony as well as host a private party the night before the inductions. Guitarist John Frusciante, however, will not be attending.

“He didn’t feel comfortable coming, which we totally respect,” Smith says. “We asked him… He said, ‘I’m just not really comfortable with that, but good luck and thanks for inviting me.’ It was all good. He’s the kind of guy, I think, that once he’s finished with something he’s just on to the next phase of his life. The Chili Peppers are not really on his radar right now.”

But, Smith adds, that won’t dampen the celebration in Cleveland. “I’m very pleased about it,” he says. “Music’s not a competition. Yeah, you like to win Grammys and stuff, but (the Rock Hall) is different. It’s not like the flavor of the month or the flavor of the year; it’s for a long career we’ve been fortunate enough to have. I’m very humbled, because the people who are in there…it’s not a joke. It’s very cool. So we’re looking forward to it. It’ll be a fun thing. There’s no pressure, like, ‘Are we gonna win?,’ none of that s***. We can just go and have a good time and celebrate with our friends and our families and our fans.”

Look Around is the latest song to be chosen as a single from RHCP’s I’m With You album and two videos have now been released to accompany the song-one the actual music video and the other a behind the scenes look (both below).

The video is based upon four rooms; one for each of the four band members. Each room roughly reflects the band member it belongs too and includes their own art and belongings among the props! The band performed with each person mostly confined to their own room although Anthony Kiedis dances through the rooms at various times. It was filmed in the round in just four takes! The video was directed by Robert Hales. Source

Photos came out yesterday showing anthony Kiedis attending a Lakers game walking on crutches and with a cast on his foot; more information has come out today…

RHCP drummer, Chad Smith, has tweeted about Anthony’s injury:

“Ak had surgery mon.on his foot so he’s out for 8 weeks..our sincere apologies for the inconvience. ALL u.s. dates have been rescheduled.”

More information and rescheduled tour dates have been posted on RHCP.com page:

“Red Hot Chili Peppers regret to announce that they must postpone the start of their upcoming U.S. tour due to multiple foot injuries sustained by Anthony Kiedis. Anthony recently underwent surgery to remove a crushed sesamoid bone and correct a detached flexor tendon in his foot and is expected to make a full recovery.”

Tickets for the postponed dates will be honored at the rescheduled dates.

There is a brief mention of RHCP in Rolling Stone Magazine (19th January, 2012) where Anthony Kiedis talks about the Chili Peppers inclusion into the Hall of Fame and remembers Hillel Slovak:

Transcript:

Red Hot Chili Peppers

For the Chilis, the induction is a chance to celebrate original guitarist Hillel Slovak, who died of a drug overdose in 1988. “He was a beautiful person that picked up a guitar in the 1970s and didn’t make it out of the 1980s,” says Anthony Kiedis. “Now he’s being honoured for his beauty.”

In the same magazine there is a photo of the band:

Transcript:

Chilis Catch Fire

“These are some of the best shows we’ve ever done,” says Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. “We’re fucking shit up!” The Chilis’ world tour (singer Anthony Kiedis and drummer Chad Smith shown performing in Turin, Italy in December) hits the U.S. this month- and on April 14th, they join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “Because we’re in such an exciting place right now,” says Flea, “getting acknowledged for our career has a lot of meaning.”